Since the Federal Emergency Management Agency won't help, New York state will step in and provide "whatever is needed so New Yorkers can rebuild their lives and their homes," Cuomo said in a statement.

Hundreds of families in Upstate counties east of Syracuse sustained significant damage to their homes as a result of the flooding that began June 28. The damage estimates for the region are at $80 million and could climb higher.

"New Yorkers believe in coming together to help each other in times of disaster. We are good neighbors and come to each other's aid. An effective government is one that serves the people and when disaster strikes is there to help," the governor said. "In this situation, people need help, and you haven't seen anything until you see New Yorkers come together. The state will step up to the plate to ensure that those affected by these floods have the resources and assistance they need to get their lives back together."

Cuomo said he will call a special session of the state Legislature to approve funding for flood victims if FEMA did not come through, but he has not detailed how the state will pay for that expense.

"We're looking right now at what authority we have to allocate with or without the legislature," Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said. He said he didn't have information about what led to FEMA's decision.

Friday evening, Cuomo announced that FEMA had approved his request for aid for the towns, villages and counties in the flooded Mohawk Valley.

FEMA decided that the damage was bad enough in 12 of the 15 counties for which Cuomo requested aid. Allegany, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Otsego, and Warren counties will get money. Schoharie, St. Lawrence and Tioga counties did not qualify.

State senators representing the Mohawk Valley said last week they wanted the Legislature to create a fund that would help property owners if FEMA did not approve aid for individuals.

The legislative proposal was announced by senators James Seward, R-Oneonta; Joseph Griffo, R-Rome; Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady; and Dave Valesky, D-Oneida.

The fund, dubbed Funding Emergency Relief Now, is the centerpiece of the plan. The plan also includes a state tax refund for homes and businesses that have been damaged, a state tax force to look at flood prevention and better funding for soil and water conservation districts to address flood prevention.